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Friday, July 4, 2014

You could say that the Drunkard's Path Block is my new favorite. I've avoided sewing curves for some time but now seem to have found that I can in fact sew curves with some confidence (and better still without pinning).

I was really keen to again work with the Drunkard's Path block (using the same templates that I used to make this quilt), and my only hesitation came from having had a very sore neck/shoulder/arm from using my rotary cutter to cut around the curved templates. I did not realize that I had been holding the rotary cutter and cutting with such great intensity around the curved edges of the templates and allowing my hand/arm to follow suit - probably also with poor posture - when making the last Drunkard's Path Quilt. I wasn't able to turn my head for several days, and needed to support my head/neck to get up in the morning. Not so fun. But it seems it was muscular only and I've recovered sufficiently to try it out again.

Piecing quarter circles for a Drunkard's Path Block

And so it began. The Drunkard's Path Block is essentially just a quarter circle in a square. I decided that this time I was going to piece the quarter circle, which was simple to do. I first pieced Half Square Triangle Units, trimmed these units to ensure a 90 degree angle, then placed the quarter circle template on top and cut around the curved edge with a rotary cutter. (To avoid further neck/shoulder strain I have invested in an even smaller - 18mm - rotary cutter which makes cutting around the curved edge of the template easier. The small blade really hugs the curve and requires less effort. I have also focused on maintaining a better posture when cutting, and taking short breaks to stretch and rest my arm).

I have gone for a very scrappy look for the pieces of the pie (the circles) as well as a scrappy low volume background, and overall I am very happy with how this quilt top has turned out. The circles really stand out and the blocks all came together remarkably well. Most seams match and I am even happy with the centers of my circles where 8 seams come together.

I am thinking about adding some pieced borders but haven't made any decisions yet ...

Lots of photos to share with you today which is a good outcome considering it is a horribly cold and windy day in Melbourne. Great weather for sewing, quilting and knitting though!

This one is a real beauty! Do you have any tips for sewing curves without pins? I'm keen to try a drunkards path pattern but have been scared about the technical & fiddly aspects of sewing with curves - thanks for the (as ever) wonderful inspiration & the gorgeous eye candy!

Ah Rita, you are truly a hard core quilter. Who else would throw out their neck in the pursuit of quilting perfection? Glad to hear you've found a pain free way of cutting curves! I saw your offcuts for this on Instagram - are you thinking of doing something with them? They just seem too pretty to throw away!

Another adorable quilt top. Can't wait to see what you decide for a border. That low volume background will look beautiful framed in those luscious colours! I love curves. You did an incredible job of matching up those centers!

Rosemary B here:Happy chilly day for you. Good thing you recognized your problem, and are taking care of it. As an olden RN, and orthopoedic at that. I suggest rest, heat, small amounts of nsaids with cookies and fabric shopping.I love this new quilt top. Drunkards path is fun to do. Once you get the rhythm your pieces can turn out perfect every time. I love your fabric choices!looking forward to seeing the finish on this one

Oh course I don't have to tell you that this looks fab...even though I just did...but I was wondering...is there a trick to how you iron all those seams for meeting in the middle?I checked at our shop for the template and ours is smaller so I guess I'll have to order one as I love yours.

Very nice. I have a quilt top made by my husband's grandmother in the 1930s or 1940s that is a Drunkard's Path variation like this except the center of the block is also cut in half. She used two solids -- white and pink. I liked seeing it done here scrappy.

I just simply love the look of all of your quilts. Every time I see a new one I say I am going to make one like it but I just don't have enough of the low volume fabrics. I need to start stashing more of those. I love the look of the stripped bindings that set your quilts off so well. Thanks for the inspiration.

What a nice quilt! Love the fabric with blue scissors. :-)I would go with a solid border, instead of pieced. The quilt is beautiful, and a pieced border will take away from focusing on the quilt. (just my thoughts on it)

Obviously, a rotating cutting mat makes this much easier to cut. But if you don't have one, improvise like I did. I placed a hand towel underneath a small cutting board, and that way I could rotate it around on the counter top as needed.

Also from the USA: I really wish I was in Melbourne enjoying the chilly weather!!!! I detest the 90 plus heat and extreme humidity we are having. Rita, you have my deepest sympathy for your neck, shoulder, arm, upper back hurting from too much repetitive motion. Those 5 to 10 min breaks are a necessity not a luxury! The Drunkard's Path quilt does looks fantastic!